Loeb takes his ninth world title

The International Rally Driver's Club salutes Sebastien Loeb for winning his home WRC event; Rallye de France - Alsace and thus securing a record ninth drivers' title in the World Rally Championship. Loeb also spearheaded Citroën's eighth manufacturers' title and now has two world championship titles more than formula one's Michael Schumacher and motorcycling's Valentino Rossi.

Among the many tributes made to the nine-times world champion, respected German motorsport magazine Auto Bild has acclaimed Seb as "the best rally driver of all time and a shining light in motorsport," and former world champion Ari Vatanen opined that Loeb's records are never likely to be broken.

Loeb has already declared his intention to compete in only selected rounds of the world rally championship in 2013 and seek new challenges in motorsport, possibly world touring cars or GT racing and we wish this great ambassador for world rallying every success.

11th October, 2012